QotW: What JNC would represent the music of today?

Ben recently dropped some knowledge on us with the news about Biz Markie and his love of the Mazda MPV. I remember watching his videos and later as a guest on Yo! MTV Raps in the day. I think I even have some trading cards from the show somewhere…

Seeing the post got me wondering what JNC would represent the music of today. In all honesty, I don’t know what is huge these days and I just tap into what friends recommend, interesting tunes found on YouTube and stuff I grew up with. So, I tune to our readers to cherry pick a JNC and music sample of today. Remember, post a link to the music your JNC represents to be considered for the following:

What JNC would represent the music of today?

The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What JNC needs a line of restoration parts support?Continue reading

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MINICARS: A Hot Wheels Nissan Laurel is coming [UPDATE: Another pic]

When we posted about the new Hot Wheels Fairlady Z casting we said there was more news we were excited to share when the time was right. That time is now. Two reveals in as many days, Hot Wheels has unveiled the latest JNC in the lineup, the C130 Nissan Laurel SGX. Finished in metallic green, and it’s a true beauty. And as always, we at JNC are honored to debut a new logo on the rear quarter panel with our friends at GReddy. Continue reading

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VIDEO: Infiniti Prototype 9

Reactions to the Infiniti Prototype 9 have been polarized. Perhaps photos don’t do the one-off design exercise justice. Luckily for you, Infiniti has released a series of videos showcasing its retro EV racer concept. Sometimes seeing the car in motion helps. Continue reading

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MINICARS: A metal base Hot Wheels Fairlady Z

Hot Wheels has revealed an updated Nissan Fairlady Z which has a new, metal base. The front air dam is much more pronounced, as metal-chassis cars are typically for collectors and not orange tracks, where such a chin spoiler might interfere with the movement.

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VIDEO: That one time Michael Bay destroyed a REPU

Michael Bay has unnecessarily ruined a lot of things, and today we add a Mazda REPU to that list. This is a scene from The Rock, and while most people remember the wanton destruction of a Ferrari F355, the clear tragedy here is the much rarer Mazda Rotary Engine Pickup. The saddest part is that the US-only Rotary Engine Pick Up was merely background fodder. They could have used any car and it wouldn’t have changed the movie one bit.  Continue reading

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FEATURED BUILD: Nico’s 1986 Subaru GL-10

Here at Japanese Nostalgic Car we have a new series called Featured Builds where we take a minute and look at some of the best builds we have seen on the JNC Forums and around the web. Our first feature comes from the JNC Subaru Garage, where member Nico has built what could be one of the most impressive 80s Subarus we’ve seen.  Continue reading

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50 YEAR CLUB: Nissan Bluebird 510

Fifty years ago today, the third-generation Nissan Bluebird 510 went on sale. 1967 was a pivotal year for the Japanese auto industry, with seminal sports cars like the Toyota 2000GT and Mazda Cosmo Sport debuting within a couple of weeks of each other. While those blue chip thoroughbreds pull the most eyeballs and auction dollars, it is arguably the humble and once-ubiquitous Datsun 510 that altered Japan’s automotive industry the most. Continue reading

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KIDNEY, ANYONE? The most complete and original Group B RX-7 on Earth

There have been numerous legendary Japanese rally cars (and trucks) throughout history — Toyota Celica GT-FOUR, Mitsubishi Pajero and Lancer Evolution, Subaru Impreza WRX, to name a few. However, the iconic Group B tends to not be associated with JNCs, with the Mazda RX-7 being one of the rare examples. We tempted you last March with a Group B-powered RX-7 rally car, but now you have an opportunity to own one of the bona fide full-on works-spec Group B cars from 1985. This may be one of the best kidney cars ever. Continue reading

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QotW: What JNC needs a line of reproduction parts support?

Nothing beats a trunk full of fresh parts to help with that resto job on your latest J-tin project. Sometimes a mountain of parts is needed just to get the engine to breathe new life to an old but still cherished JNC. Getting those much needed parts can cost and arm and a leg to get the classic back on all four tires, if you can even find them in the first place. Yikes!

In the span of one week, we heard that Mazda and Honda was easing the pain and shortening the hunt for restoration parts for the Japan-market Eunos Roadster (Miata) and Honda Beat. (No doubt this is wondrous news to our own David Lovett who’s a proud owner of a bumble bee Beat — say that 5 times fast — in Texas!) Though David and a very small group of classic collectors may be in luck, I wanted to ask the group about their own wishes for restoration parts. What say you:

What JNC needs a line of reproduction parts support?

The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “Who will win Japan’s automaker Game of Thrones, Toyota-Subaru-Mazda or Nissan-Mitsubishi?Continue reading

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NEWS: Infiniti Prototype 9 envisions a retro racer from the 1940s

Infiniti has revealed the Prototype 9, a true dream car project. Built from authentic old school construction methods and designed with parameters limited only by human imagination, it fantasizes a “what if” scenario that saw Infiniti competing in the so-called Golden Age of Grand Prix racing.  Continue reading

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NEWS: Honda announces reproduction parts for the Beat

Twenty-six years after the car’s debut, Honda has announced that it will begin making reproduction parts for its Beat sports car. The mid-engined kei roadster, introduced in May 1991, is a beloved enthusiast’s car in Japan, the only market in which it was ever sold. With the new catalog of select parts, Honda hopes the remaining Beats will stay on the road longer. Continue reading

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The Toyota USA Museum is auctioning off a bunch of stuff before it moves to Texas

Like the rest of the company, the Toyota USA Museum is moving from Torrance, California to Texas. And as with any move it is getting rid of a bunch of stuff before it’s forced to cart it halfway across the country. The museum has put 276 items up for auction, and now is your chance to own a part of the collection.  Continue reading

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RIP Glen Campbell, singer, songwriter, Datsun man

Legendary singer-songwriter Glen Campbell passed away on Tuesday, August 8 at the age of 81. A prolific musician, Campbell played guitar on some of the most famous American songs of the modern age, including  “Good Vibrations” by the Beach Boys, “Viva Las Vegas” by Elvis Presley, “Mr. Tambourine Man” by the Byrds, and “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling” by the Righteous Brothers, as well as many works of his own such as “Wichita Lineman” and “Rhinestone Cowboy.” Campbell was a well-known Chevy spokesman, but perhaps lesser known was that he occasionally got behind the wheel of a Datsun too.  Continue reading

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KIDNEY, ANYONE? SCCA AE86, a Corolla with racing pedigree

By now, JNC readers are probably pretty familiar with the AE86’s roots as the weapon of choice during the underground touge battles of the 1980s. It’s no surprise, however, that the Hachiroku was also a formidable machine on the track. While the famed BTCC Corolla GT’s trail “runs cold” after its in the UK victories (last we heard, it ended up in Hong Kong), here is another AE86 with racing pedigree that you can buy, in the US, and at a bargain price.  Continue reading

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MINICARS: Wow, Hot Wheels made a Hakosuka Wagon

If you had told us, say, 10 years ago that one day there would be a Hot Wheels Hakosuka wagon, we would’ve never believed you. Nevertheless, here is a prototype of the Nissan Skyline Wagon prototype in all its diecast glory.  Continue reading

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VIDEO: The latest Hot Version pits the Nissan GT-R against the Mazda Rotary

Speaking of rivalries, the Nissan GT-R and Mazda rotary have one that stretches back some 45 years. It was Hiroshima’s pistonless wonder that kept the Hakosuka GT-R from capturing its much sought-after 50th touring car win. While Nissan did eventually get that 50th win, Mazda’s block still left a bitter taste in proto-Godzilla’s mouth. The latest Hot Version video — yes, they are making new episodes! — reignites that struggle with a GT-R versus rotary redux in their latest trailer. Continue reading

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QotW: Who will win Japan’s automaker Game of Thrones, Toyota-Subaru-Mazda or Nissan-Mitsubishi?

With the news on Friday that Toyota had taken a 5 percent stake in Mazda, it was clear that Japan’s great automotive houses were gearing up for a battle of epic proportions. In one corner, we have Nissan-Mitsubishi, a federation backed by powers from a distant land (Renault). In the other corner, we have a native giant that in recent years has been accumulating allies like a forming Voltron, Toyota-Subaru-Mazda (Actually, it’s Toyota-Subaru-Mazda-Suzuki-Isuzu-Hino-Daihatsu if you want to get specific about it).

There are many ways to measure victory. With shared platforms, there is the game of sales. With combined technologies, there is game of building the most beloved enthusiasts’ car. With united motorsports prowess, there is the game of winning actual races.

Who will win Japan’s automaker Game of Thrones, Toyota-Subaru-Mazda or Nissan-Mitsubishi?

The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What JNC do you need to buy now before prices get ridic?”  Continue reading

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Happy 8/6 Day from JNC

Happy 8/6 Day from JNC! Where will your touge battles take you today?

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NEWS: Toyota and Mazda deepen partnership with stock stakes, US factory

Toyota and Mazda announced late Friday in Japan that they would strengthen their partnership with a formal capital alliance. In 2015, the industrial giant from Aichi and the small carmaker from Hiroshima agreed to work together, but it was little more than a handshake. What was called “an engagement” then by Toyota’s CEO Akio Toyoda has now become a marriage, consummated with an actual exchange of stock shares.  Continue reading

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NEWS: Mazda launches Roadster restoration program

In another nod to the classic status of Mazda’s NA Roadster, the Hiroshima carmaker is launching an official restoration and parts support program for the world’s most popular droptop. Starting next year, owners in Japan will be able to have their Eunos Roadsters brought back to the original state by the factory, a “classic center” type service enjoyed by many other vintage automobiles. Some hard-to-find genuine parts will also be made available. Continue reading

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